Favourite Top African and Black Models

[sepia]

Wow, I love her complexion.

Has she done anything yet as far as campaigns, or worked with specific designers?

 

[scriptgirl]

Wow! So many beautiful black women! Loves it! Anyway,
all those pics have left with so many questions. Where
was Donyale from, why was her life so sad? What the
hell happened to Stephanie Roberts, Brandi Quinones
and Beverly Peele? Why did they just fall off? Also
didn't other black models know that Claudia Mason was
one of them? Did they resent her for passing? I
remember seeing her all the time in Vogue and in
Mademoiselle. She got a TON of work. I also remember
wondering vaguely what her heritage was-I guess my
mixed folks radar was a 'beepin and I swear to God, I
remember reading that she was Puerto Rican.

 

[sepia]

Beverly left the industry after she had her baby. She told Tyra unfortunately, she didn't feel happy as a model.

 

[OMIFAN9]

Okay where do I start Scriptgirl,
The major footsteps: Ophelia Devore-Helen Williams-Donyale-Naomi Sims-Beverly Johnson-Iman-Naomi Campbell-Liya Kebede.

Donyale was from Detroit and started as a small time actress. Started in the early 60s as a model. Fashion chronicler Billy Cunningham said "The curtain parts, and the white model dominated fashion world is confronted by the first ethereal African queen image. The audience responds with shattering applause. It is the birth of a new fashion era. The new star on the horizon is Donyale Luna, whose arrival was greeted in both the photography and runway worlds of modeling success unknown to blacks at the time". She was in many mags like Bazaar and Vogue, also doing runway. But by the late 60s she left for Europe. She got into drugs, and well you know what happens. She overdosed in Rome(1979). I just can only imagin the time, very rough in history anyway, but than to try to be in the crazy business.

Haven't heard where Stephanie is now. Brandi well lets say I've heard tons of things, all not good. She got into drugs to and well we all know what happens there if not stopped. She blew several jobs, including VS. Member Sepia just talked on Bev her pregnacy, but drugs and not really caring about what she was doing were huge factors too.

Claudia it's hard to say, they all knew the problems that came with race. If anything I think they knew something was up but likely understood. Her agency/management wanted her to pass for latin, b/c she couldn't pass for white necessarily and I guess they though anything but black. I've seen her mother & she is white and father is black. I just think of the time she started 1985. There was no Naomi and things that were later to come. Claudia said "That's what the powers that be in the fashion industry wanted so I just went along with it. It's important to me now that people know who I am(2000)". So with time she regretted it, but she was young.

 

[OMIFAN9]

Back to the beautiful women(scriptgirl). Taking it to the runways. Photo Credit:wireimage

 

[sepia]

I love them!

 

[sepia]

Omi you should start a model site/blog or something, with all your knowledge and pics. Poor Claudia.

 

[OMIFAN9]

Wow!

I wish she and Liya did a spread together somewhere. They are two of the only girls I love now.

The only thing we will probably get to see something like you mentioned is this backstage(2004). You know I'm not really interested in most of the new girls b/c most are lacking something IMO. But I have to say Liya and Yasmin have won me over in ways they are among the few neebees, especially Yasmin. I'm pretty proud of them, but they deserve more. Photo Credit:wireimages

 

[sepia]

More from Donyale

source: Mini Mod 60s


(British Vogue 1967)

 

[scriptgirl]

Who is the woman in red next to Liya? As far as Brandi, she was really on her way to being huge. 1993-95, she did a lot. Does anyone remember the mag Top Model from the mid-90s? They did a nice feature on her. Matter of fact, I think Brandi at her peak was bigger than Tyra. But I remember hearing stories from that time that she had an attitude, etc. But I kinda sort of chalked it up to the industry not willing to put up with black models the way they did white models.

Does anyone remember a model from the 80s-she was light skinned, was in Essence a lot, had green eyes,was from Vegas. She did an Ambi ad that ran for years-she was naked and kneeling in it.

Does anyone know anything about Noemie Lenoir? Like is she well liked in the industry, etc?

 

[arlekindearrabal]

Androgeny at it's best, Sabastian(1989) was a well worked print girl in the late 80s & early 90s, especially for Elle. Photo Credit:Bensimon

so that's sebastian!
i love you omi
this is a great thread

 

[OMIFAN9]

Omi you should start a model site/blog or something, with all your knowledge and pics. Poor Claudia.

Oh, if I really was skillful at that as I am model/pop history than I probably would. BTW, don't feel too bad b/c I think Claudia has moved on. You see it pays to be truthful, had she come out earlier I think we would see her in like Essence and things like that,especially when they do retrospects. B/C now the masses(if you will) have pretty much forgotten/or are over her, and for the minority side it's like she can't come 'home'. Below her in 2004. Photo Credit:wireimages

 

[OMIFAN9]

Who is the woman in red next to Liya? As far as Brandi, she was really on her way to being huge. 1993-95, she did a lot. Does anyone remember the mag Top Model from the mid-90s? They did a nice feature on her. Matter of fact, I think Brandi at her peak was bigger than Tyra. But I remember hearing stories from that time that she had an attitude, etc. But I kinda sort of chalked it up to the industry not willing to put up with black models the way they did white models.

Does anyone remember a model from the 80s-she was light skinned, was in Essence a lot, had green eyes,was from Vegas. She did an Ambi ad that ran for years-she was naked and kneeling in it.

The woman is model Ujjwala Raut.

Now on to Miss Brandi I remember the Topmodel feature I believe I have it actually. Sepia & I were talking about this since I mentioned she could've have a second act as a VS girl, but blew it. They wanted her so bad they booked her again, and she still didn't show. And yes many models were bigger than Tyra, I know some misguided people can't believe it but it's true. So if you know like I know she could've taken Ty's spot as the main black VS girl. She was a better,bigger model and had a better body. She was truly something. However, to Tyra's credit she was more reliable and it didn't hurt she was on tv alot. If Brandi would've gotten it together! And although I'm not into VS Brandi would've rocked it! I mean honestly imagine it, people would be like Tyra who?!

The Essence model I have to think on! Was it early,mid or late 80s?

 

[OMIFAN9]

More from Donyale

source: Mini Mod 60s

http://imageshack.us
(British Vogue 1967)

Sepia, those are fierce!

 

[scriptgirl]

Mid-80s, but she did a lot of stuff-I think she did fashion fair. Do you know anything of Noemie?

 

[OMIFAN9]

so that's sebastian!
i love you omi
this is a great thread

Oh, wow thanks! Sebastian again in 1989 I believe. Photo Credit:Tyen

 

[OMIFAN9]

Mid-80s, but she did a lot of stuff-I think she did fashion fair. Do you know anything of Noemie?

As far as Noemie I don't know much about her, could be b/c I'm not really a fan. She seemed boarderline commerical, but still somehow not a name to most. Very cute, but I don't hear much about her. Reminds me of Tyra, just without tv.

Would this be her, Kersti Bowser. She comes to mind right away. Photo Credit: paperdolls

 

[OMIFAN9]

Poised for near elite model status in 1995, Brandi. Photo Credit:Michael Thompson

 

[scriptgirl]

The bower girl-I'd have to see her w/out that animal makeup. I hate when they make us up like animals! Omi, how do you have all these pics?

 

[OMIFAN9]

The bower girl-I'd have to see her w/out that animal makeup. I hate when they make us up like animals! Omi, how do you have all these pics?

I wanna say I posted her here at least one or twice. Here is another from 1986. I have the photos b/c I love photography and so I collect on whatever I like & models are top among those things. Photo Credit:Bensimon